and we’ll head back. We need to allow enough time to safely travel.”
Clarissa nodded absently, pulling several plastic containers out of her backpack. They’d hiked two hours to get here, and she didn’t want to overlook anything just because he was overly cautious. Maybe the fact that he was carrying a large weapon should’ve concerned her more. She considered it being proactive though. He was prepared on the off-chance they ran into anyone intending to do them harm.
Drug runners were certainly an issue in this country, but in the middle of the rainforest? She felt safer here than driving from the airport. And although she’d heard rumors of terrorist groups beginning to form, that seemed far-fetched at best. Not that she was an expert or something on that subject matter, but everyone knew Latin America was known for drug kingpins, not jihadists.
Frowning, she grabbed her small shovel and began to scoop up soil samples. The sediment here would be an interesting contrast to the other nutrient-rich soil under the dense foliage. She’d already collected some yesterday, labeled and ready to test back at her camp.
Goodness.
There was so much to study here, if she spent six months collecting data, it wouldn’t be enough time. She’d just have to plan another trip back here one day. Soon. It’s not like she had anyone waiting for her back home. Her parents had been killed in an auto accident three years earlier. She didn’t have any siblings. And she’d broken up with her ex-boyfriend last year.
Huffing out a laugh, she collected her second sample.
Ironically, her ex hadn’t loved that she was a biologist. He’d seemed more into the Stepford type woman, with perfect hair, makeup, and clothes.
Clarissa enjoyed getting dressed up and going out occasionally, but she was definitely more of the outdoorsy type. For some reason, men saw her long, blonde hair and seemed to think she was a model or something. She was slightly tall for a woman at five foot eight, with a slender, athletic frame, and a decent-sized chest. That didn’t mean she was about to prance down a runway or something.
For some reason, having boobs and blonde hair made men think she didn’t have a brain. And wasn’t her ex disappointed when she wanted to discuss things other than sex or his dick size. After the initial chemistry had worn off, there was nothing left. Shaking her head, she wondered why she’d spent so long with him.
Putting the last sample into her backpack, she took out her canteen and took a long swig of water.
Her guide nodded at her, gesturing for her to follow him.
Wondering what he was suddenly so uneasy about, Clarissa slipped her long-sleeve shirt back on, hiked her backpack over her shoulder, and walked toward him. There was so much else to collect and photograph here, she thought with disappointment. Resisting the urge to groan, she stopped in front of him.
“Are you sure we have to leave now?” she asked quietly.
She looked around the rainforest but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. It was hot, humid, and beautiful. Walking back to the camp when she’d barely gathered all she needed wasn’t how she planned to finish the day.
Then again, even though she didn’t notice whatever he was so antsy about, she wasn’t about to tempt fate either.
“I thought I heard voices further on down the stream,” he said in a heavy accent, nodding toward it. “It’s best we get moving and take a different trail in case someone is following it. This stream leads directly to the river. If they’re following it south, it will lead them straight to us.”
“We can’t walk along the water?” she asked, frowning.
“It’s not the safest option. Others could be following it through the rainforest as well. It could simply be hikers or adventurous tourists, but why risk it?”
“Let’s take a different route then. Better safe than sorry and all that.”
He nodded, his hand gripping his weapon. They had a good two-hour hike back, and then after she documented her findings, it would be dinner and bed. They’d been getting an early start in the mornings and putting in many long days.
She followed the guide away from the water and further into the dense forest, trying to avoid tripping on the vines underfoot. Her hiking boots were perfect for the terrain, but she still needed to pay attention. The last thing she needed right now was a twisted ankle or something.
A monkey let out a scream from high up in